Opposition boycotts President’s tea party, barring Eran and Welgama

Opposition MPs, except SJB MPs Eran Wickremaratne and Kumara Welgama, boycotted the tea party hosted by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after delivering his presidential policy statement in Parliament yesterday.

Opposition party members did not attend the party held at the Parliament restaurant as a sign of protest against the President, an opposition MP said. He said that many other opposition MPs proposed to boycott the event while others suggested that they should all dress in black but several leaders argued that they should be present in the House to respect the tradition. “We respected the tradition, not the man. Some of those who proposed did not attend the session,” the opposition MP said.

Around 20 opposition MPs in the opposition ranks were absent, while MP Radhakrishnan was seen wearing a black suit (SI)